If you desire to move to a fantastic destination, you may be curious about the cost of living in La Quinta, California. LaQuinta is located in Riverside County, California, with a population of just over 40,000.
The bad news is that the cost of living is 31.9% higher than the U.S. average, and the good news is it is 18% lower than the average in the State of California. To calculate the cost of living in La Quinta, you must combine housing, transportation, utilities, food/groceries, healthcare, and other necessities.
HOUSING
Housing is one of the most significant components of the cost of living. Although real estate prices here don’t compare to real estate prices in most of the expensive communities in California at 57.4% less, La Quinta is 81.7% higher than the U.S. average. The median home sales price in September 2023 was $776,500, according to Rocket Homes. Of course, the kinds of homes and neighborhoods have varying prices. You can find some less expensive homes and condos but also higher-end homes as well. It depends on what you are looking to find.
TAXES
Taxes are one of the expenses that vary widely from city to city. The average sales tax is 8.75% total, which includes California sales tax of 6%, county sales tax of .25%, and the La Quinta sales tax of 1%.
Income taxes are also figured into the cost of living calculations. La Quinta ranks high compared to the U.S. average but low in California. State income taxes are based on your income bracket and can run anywhere from 1% – 12.3%.
Other common taxes you may need to account for are federal, property, and excise taxes.
UTILITIES
Like other categories used in the cost of living in La Quinta, California utilities are higher than the U.S. average and lower than the State average. La Quinta is 7% higher than the U.S. average yet 4.7% less than the California average. One way to reduce electricity costs here is to install solar systems because of the abundant sunshine. Remember, it is hot here in the summer, and you must run your air conditioning a lot.
TRANSPORTATION
Another significant component of the cost of living calculations is transportation. While we have public transit widely available, most people have a car as their primary mode of transportation. The average transportation cost is 3% higher than the U.S. average and 1.8% less expensive than the California average. The one-way commute in LaQuita is approximately 22.8 minutes compared to 26.4 minutes on the U.S. average. The cost of gasoline is higher in California because of the refinery requirements for clean air standards. However, it is less expensive per gallon than in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Diego. Electric vehicles are becoming more popular here as well.
FOOD
An everyday expense with a significant impact on the cost of living in La Quinta, California, is food. In La Quinta, a single adult spends an average of $3,185 per year, and a family of four spends about $9,198 annually for food.
The bright spot in the cost of living in La Quinta is the average grocery cost is only 0.4% higher than the U.S. average and about 5% lower than the California average. One of the main reasons is access to fresh fruits and vegetables grown in the Coachella Valley. The cost of transportation for these foods is considerably less.
There are various grocery shopping options here, from weekly Farmer’s Markets to Trader Joe’s and other major grocery chains like Stater Brothers, Albertsons, and smaller boutique grocery stores.
HEALTHCARE
Another area where the cost of living is less in La Quinta is healthcare. The average healthcare costs here are 12.2% less expensive than the U.S. average and 4.6% less than the California average. The number of good healthcare providers and healthcare systems has a positive impact on healthcare costs. The area is also a health-conscious community with access to many outdoor recreation and exercise opportunities, including hiking trails, biking, swimming, tennis, and golf.
Although you may pay more for certain things here, you will love life in La Quinta, California.
Contact me, Stephen Burchard, The Desert Bowtie Realtor®, taking the (k)nots out of real estate if you are considering buying or selling in the region; I can answer your questions and help you find your perfect slice of paradise.
